Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. All you have to do is eat and watch football. No pressure of buying gifts thus spending money and worrying about what to get Uncle Fester. On top of this Thanksgiving is a great time to simply be thankful and say thanks.

So, for what it is worth, and why are you even reading this, here is my list of what I am thankful for…

My relationship with Christ. This drives everything. I shudder to think what I would be without His influence in my life.

My family. First, I am thankful for parents who took me to church, spanked my bottom thus putting the fear of God and Dad’s belt in me which thus set me on the right path for life. Secondly, I am thankful for my wife Valerie. If you know her then my simply saying that is enough. What an amazing woman! Then I am thankful for two of the best kids in the world, Jon and Amy, who have been and always will be my hero’s in life. I am thankful for their spouses, Lianna and Nick. Finally I am thankful for four amazing grand kids, Jackson, Paige, Zoe and Graham. It is so cool being Pops!

My team. I have a great team around me and each one helps make me better. Tom Holloway has been with me almost from the beginning of The Charis Group. Without him I am not sure we would be in existence today. I am thankful for Chris Harrell who adds value to what we do and allows me to have the West Coast covered. My big brother Michael is taking huge pressure off of me as he now runs the business side of this business. Travoris Carnes heads up our online marketing and has been a godsend for us. Then again my wife Valerie handles the details and accounts thus freeing me up to think, create, write and consult.

The churches I get to work with. The first is my home away from home, Phillips Temple in Dayton, OH and my good friend Pastor Jimmy Washington. I love hanging with him and when I am with his people they are my people. If only we lived in Dayton. On top of that I get to work with many other amazing churches and pastors. The list would be too long for me to attempt to comment on each and then I might forget some. To all I say thanks.

My job. Doing what I do is really not a job it is a joy! I love helping churches. I am grateful that God has given me this opportunity. I am blessed by his grace and mercy and wisdom.

So, on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful! What are you thankful for and why are you here and not spending time with your family!

Mark Brooks- The Stewardship Coach

Founder and President, The Charis Group and Charis Giving Solutions

The Charis Group and Charis Giving Solutions

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About the Author

As the founding partner of The Charis Group, Mark Brooks brings not only a rich background of ministry experience but also years of successfully helping Christian ministries raise funds for capital projects. His desire to better personalize the engagement that each ministry receives from their stewardship partner led him to begin The Charis Group. With creative, outside the box thinking, Mark has helped scores of ministries achieve maximum financial and spiritual results.